4 ms·

A large part of microplastics found in aquatic environments is abraison from car tires. So which alternative do you suggest? https://www.sciencenews.org/articl

by jcynix 2y ago

A large part of microplastics found in aquatic environments is abraison from car tires. So which alternative do you suggest? https://www.sciencenews.org/article/car-tires-and-brake-pads-produce-harmful-microplastics https://www.sciencenews.org/article/car-tires-and-brake-pads... https://theconversation.com/how-your-car-sheds-microplastics-into-the-ocean-thousands-of-miles-away-142614 https://theconversation.com/how-your-car-sheds-microplastics... https://microplastics.springeropen.com/track/pdf/10.1186/s43591-021-00008-w.pdf https://microplastics.springeropen.com/track/pdf/10.1186/s43...

throwaway05294 2y ago
As I mentioned, the manufacturers will need to spend money on R&D to develop alternatives. Right now the tire manufacturers don't have any incentive because there's no financial benefit. Even though consumers don't have a choice when they buy tires today, other products have cleaner alternatives. If I was a manufacturer of tires and saw consumers consistently choosing cleaner products when possible, I would have an incentive to see if I could reduce the pollution, because I would gain market share. The first manufacturer would sell more tires and others would need to follow. Not enough consumers make this choice today to make up the cost of new technologies.
- alt227 2y ago
  Theres no need for R&D. Real rubber tyres are environmentally friendly as the abrasion particles are natural. They are much better performing in terms of grip, but just more expensivce to produce. IIRC the military use real rubber tyres still because of their longer life and better performance. If people were willing to pay more for their tyres then this would be a non issue.
  - mrob 2y ago
    Pure natural rubber has poor ozone resistance. It will need stabilizing additives, and at least one of these (6PPD) has been found to have toxicity problems. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozone_cracking https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozone_cracking https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/6PPD#Environmental_impact https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/6PPD#Environmental_impact
scrollaway 2y ago
Cycling and metros?
- alt227 2y ago
  Not possible or practical in rural areas.

by jcynix 2y ago

throwaway05294 2y ago

As I mentioned, the manufacturers will need to spend money on R&D to develop alternatives. Right now the tire manufacturers don't have any incentive because there's no financial benefit. Even though consumers don't have a choice when they buy tires today, other products have cleaner alternatives. If I was a manufacturer of tires and saw consumers consistently choosing cleaner products when possible, I would have an incentive to see if I could reduce the pollution, because I would gain market share. The first manufacturer would sell more tires and others would need to follow. Not enough consumers make this choice today to make up the cost of new technologies.

alt227 2y ago
Theres no need for R&D. Real rubber tyres are environmentally friendly as the abrasion particles are natural. They are much better performing in terms of grip, but just more expensivce to produce. IIRC the military use real rubber tyres still because of their longer life and better performance. If people were willing to pay more for their tyres then this would be a non issue.
- mrob 2y ago
  Pure natural rubber has poor ozone resistance. It will need stabilizing additives, and at least one of these (6PPD) has been found to have toxicity problems. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozone_cracking https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozone_cracking https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/6PPD#Environmental_impact https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/6PPD#Environmental_impact

scrollaway 2y ago

Cycling and metros?

alt227 2y ago
Not possible or practical in rural areas.